The Women Marines Association IN-1 chapter President, Connie Hamm, and I went to the dedication of the Sgt Jeanette L. Winters Center for Homeless Female Veterans in Gary, IN on Monday the 22nd of November. You may recall that Sgt Winters was our first ever woman Marine killed in a hostile fire zone. She was also the first woman killed in the war on terror that began with the attacks of 9/11. (She was killed on 9 Jan 2002.) It was a chilly day with rain threatening, but it held off long enough for the dedication.

The homeless center was to open on the 22nd but wasn’t quite ready. They still hope to open by the end of the year. There’s a 2 story building (visible in the group photo – that wall is to have a mural painted on it) that will house up to 14 female veterans in a residential area plus a house that will serve as office space. It’s being built by Webb House Inc, a very small non-profit providing social services. The local AMVETS, DAV, Am Red Cross, and Veterans Center are also involved and had representatives in attendance who spoke at the dedication.

The Winters Family with Carol Mutter LtGen USMC (Ret)

The family in attendance included Sgt Winters’ father, uncle, 2 brothers and a sister. One of the brothers was also a Marine, Matthew Jr. I had met him in 29 Palms several years ago. He’s still there working (as a civilian) in the G-6. The group photo includes, left to right, Matthew Jr, Carmen Wilson of Indianapolis, Carol Mutter, Robert Farmer (Webb House Executive Director), and Jeanette’s sister, father and brother.

Former Marine Sgt Joan Sisco in partnership with the State of AZ is already working on another women veterans home. This is a 2 bdm apt. complex for homeless women vets with children. It is hoped that AZ can build more in other areas of the state. It is wonderful to see other such residences being developed for the “forgotter warriors” as our women vets have been called. JB

Winters tought me how to be a Marine, not a female Marine, but a Marine. she may have shown be how to put my hair up to pass reg’s, but she also taught me how to be tough, stand up for myself, and to never back down in the face of adversity. Every Veteran’s Day, she is the first person I think about in a long list of Marines that I was lucky enough to call friends.

I knew Sgt Winters while I was a Marine at MCAS Cherry Point, NC working with MWCS-28. I was in Mux Platoon then. She was a great Marine that always led by setting the example. I was proud to know her and call her a friend. I know she is missed and still thought of by many; by # of people that continue to leave comments to this day. I was lucky enough to she here one last time when she stop through Cherry Point before going on her last deployment. You will not be forgotten.

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Mark Noah is titled Honorary Marine for his contributions in bringing back more than 120 fallen service members from WWII. With the help of donations and funds from his non-profit organization, History Flight, Noah has put in more than $1.5 million just in Tarawa Atoll.

The Department of Defense sent in five hundred fifty-three services members to provide humanitarian aid after the earthquake in Nepal. Cpl. Aria Herrera has more on two Marines who lost their lives while participating in that aid. To learn more about DINFOS or its Hall of Heroes, go to www.dinfos.dma.mil.

An era in Marine Corps history came to an end when the Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force officially cased the unit colors during a deactivation ceremony at the Goettge Memorial Field House aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 14, 2015. On Jan. 24, 2013, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joint

“All I ever wanted to do was to be a Marine,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Nicholas V. Vitale, Marine Gunner with the Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force. “I would see my dad and all his friends, and I’m like ‘oh yeah, that’s what I want to do.’” Having grown up near Naval Air Stations, where his father was stationed and Marines guarded […]

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